BBC are reporting that Murray's half starts on Monday, which is good news for him. Overall it's a pretty good draw for Andy. Only real downside is having Nish as QF opponent. That will be tough. If he gets through that then Stan is a bit of an unknown. What Stan will turn up?

Only way I really see Andy winning this is if he gets to the final way fresher than Novak, like in Rome. So his chances are aligned to how efficient Novak is. Same if it's Rafa really.

Danny_1982 wrote:BBC are reporting that Murray's half starts on Monday, which is good news for him. Overall it's a pretty good draw for Andy. Only real downside is having Nish as QF opponent. That will be tough. If he gets through that then Stan is a bit of an unknown. What Stan will turn up?

Only way I really see Andy winning this is if he gets to the final way fresher than Novak, like in Rome. So his chances are aligned to how efficient Novak is. Same if it's Rafa really.

If I am being honest I'd much sooner Andy started tomorrow. That way, should he reach the Final, he'd have the maximum time to recover for it - not now though.

Novak and Andy were in the top half and Fed and Berdy in the bottom half. Once it settled down, the bottom half played first (i.e. Wed, Fri, Sun, Tue).

If Andy's half "starts" on Monday that would mean his half is the later one. I don't see it being a big issue at the French though. Both SF are played on the same day and Rafa v Nole (if that occurs) will be the marquee match, which I would assume would be the later start.

Danny_1982 wrote:BBC are reporting that Murray's half starts on Monday, which is good news for him. Overall it's a pretty good draw for Andy. Only real downside is having Nish as QF opponent. That will be tough. If he gets through that then Stan is a bit of an unknown. What Stan will turn up?

Only way I really see Andy winning this is if he gets to the final way fresher than Novak, like in Rome. So his chances are aligned to how efficient Novak is. Same if it's Rafa really.

As I said Danny big disadvantage right off the bat that no one is talking about is how Novak starting literally last means even with a little delay in any of the matches before him due to rain on center he could be starting his first match two days later than Murray but he will have to catch up.

Novak and Andy were in the top half and Fed and Berdy in the bottom half. Once it settled down, the bottom half played first (i.e. Wed, Fri, Sun, Tue).

If Andy's half "starts" on Monday that would mean his half is the later one. I don't see it being a big issue at the French though. Both SF are played on the same day and Rafa v Nole (if that occurs) will be the marquee match, which I would assume would be the later start.

BS who goes first in the FO is huge, BS. (see socal's weather theorem) Do not underestimate the value of going first in this rain delay nightmare of tournament. Last year Novak started his match 2 days later but eventually has to catch up.

Yip, bottom half play Sun/Mon (Nishikori is playing tomorrow) and then R2 Wednesday. Top half Mon/Tues then R2 Thursday.

I think the tournament schedule is pretty fair regardless, with the 2 halves back on the same day before the final, but RG can be badly affected by the weather. I believe that tomorrow is already forecast to be a bit of a washout.

Wawrinka & Cilic must be coming from final in Geneva today to play again on Monday - at least Thiem and Zverev don't need to start until Tuesday.

As I said Danny big disadvantage right off the bat that no one is talking about is how Novak starting literally last means even with a little delay in any of the matches before him due to rain on center he could be starting his first match two days later than Murray but he will have to catch up.

Well I wouldn't be sure that "no one is talking about it" - although, admittedly, it's perhaps questionable that anyone else is so concerned as to be talking about it with quite the same level of self-interest ...... !!

But, hey ....... fear not, socal : it must be only a matter of time before - in your own words - "the entire western media steals my line and runs with it ......"

As I said Danny big disadvantage right off the bat that no one is talking about is how Novak starting literally last means even with a little delay in any of the matches before him due to rain on center he could be starting his first match two days later than Murray but he will have to catch up.

Well I wouldn't be sure that "no one is talking about it" - although, admittedly, it's perhaps questionable that anyone else is so concerned as to be talking about it with quite the same level of self-interest ...... !!

But, hey ....... fear not, socal : it must be only a matter of time before - in your own words - "the entire western media steals my line and runs with it ......"

Ah lags, its a matter of fact and a number of the older poster will attest that since my days as FA and socalfootiefan I have been discussing the golden era which was first scoffed at and then LITERALLY YEARS LATER THE ENTIRE WESTERN MEDIA LITERALLY TOOK THE EXACT WORDS I USED HUNDREDS OF TIMES ON BBC and cut and pasted it, just saying. See when I say it, it sounds like hyperbole to you but that is actually what happened.

It is tough to be a visionary, the world is filled with little Salieri's like you and too few Mozart's like me. If I really wanted to do the list of things SOCAL has been proven wrong or right on and do the same list with my esteemed critics such as yourself and others, I don't think you would like the results of that comparison.

Its a huge deal, the damn FO always screws Novak with scheduling. He needs to throw his weight around as number 1 and start crapping on them in the media if he is going to get the sheet schedule every single FO, he started last in the last one and it ended up contributing to his demise quite a bit. And now again he is the last to start last again, probably after 3 or 4 lengthy rain delays while Murray is sitting in the tub resting, same as Stan by the way.

Nobody knows what the westher will do though socal. It vould see Monday's play rained off and Murrsy's schedule screwed up or any other player for that which could see them playing on consecutive days.

yes craig it is possible that Murray could get rained out in the next round and therefore he could be the one who is delayed, but by going first you are automatically guaranteed well of being first and therefore you don't have that worry with round 1. If you can't play the tournament hasn't started really so you are ok, that is the big advantage of going first.

socal : yes .... I've never doubted - not for one moment - that all you say here on 606 is of course pure fact (as opposed to mere subjective personal opinion). How could anyone doubt it ......??

Mind you, as far as your assertion that a number of older posters will attest that later the entire western media took the words you used hundreds of times and cut & pasted it all .... hmm..... Let's just say that I don't think the 'number' is of such magnitude that we'll ever need crowd control procedures to hold them back.

I cant ever remember the weather being such a lengthy point of discussion prior to a major tournament on 606 before.. I thought it was only us Brits that were forever complaining about the weather. Rain delays affect every player surely not just Djokovic. :